City miss out on Ronaldinho
16 Jul 2008 - 07:13:25
Manchester City have missed out on signing Ronaldinho after the Brazil star opted to join AC Milan rather than move to Eastlands.
City owner Thaksin Shinawatra had made luring the 28-year-old former world player of the year to the City of Manchester Stadium his priority this summer in an ambitious move.
However, Ronaldinho has agreed to join the Italian side on a three-year contract subject to passing a medical on Wednesday.
Barcelona have accepted a bid that could rise to £16.7million for the unsettled Brazil international despite reports claiming City had tabled an offer of around £22.5million.
Ronaldinho though is believed to have sweetened the deal for Barca after waiving his rights to a portion of the transfer fee.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has spent the last two days in Spain before striking a deal late on Tuesday evening.
"AC Milan and FC Barcelona have reached a principle agreement for the transfer of Ronaldinho to the Rossoneri," confirmed a Milan statement.
"The player will be in Milan to undergo the medical examinations and sign the contract that will bind him to Milan until June 30, 2011."